Wednesday 23rd June 2010 was a good day for Germany, the UK, and for me. The two countries qualified for the knock-out round of the World Cup, and I scored a first of my own with the inaugural reading from my new novel, The Obscure Logic of the Heart.

My event was scheduled for the exact time that Germany was playing Ghana. At 9:30pm, when the reading was supposed to start, the score was still nil all. They wouldn’t turn off the big screen at Kaffee Burger because even the literature enthusiasts who’d gathered in the venue’s dimly lit rooms were fixated on the game. Maurice Frank, one of the editors of Ex-Berliner magazine, organizers of the event, was reluctant to interrupt the football. ‘I’m not sure it’ll go down well,’ he said.

They decided to take a vote and I’m glad to say it went in favour of starting the reading immediately. Thanks to everyone who decided to be my fan for the next 45 minutes. I’m happy that nobody was compelled to race out as the sounds of German victory – plastic trumpets hooting and car horns blasting – filled the streets. The loveliest compliment was from those of you who said you didn’t even hear all the commotion because you were so enthralled by the book.